WWE: Why Drew McIntyre Is a Story of Unfulfilled Potential

"This man, ladies and gentlemen, is going to be a future World Heavyweight champion."

Those words came from the mouth of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon on the September 25, 2009 edition of SmackDown, and he was describing the recently signed superstar, Drew McIntyre.

Given the nickname the "Chosen One," McIntyre's WWE career got off to a very promising start as he picked up victories over the likes of R-Truth, Matt Hardy and even Kane.

Then on December 13, 2009, at the Tables, Ladders and Chairs event from San Antonio, McIntyre defeated John Morrison to win the Intercontinental title.

From there, it seemed the words of McMahon were destined to become true.

He made his first appearance at a WrestleMania, participating in the Money in the Bank match at WrestleMania 26.

However, in August of 2010, things for McIntyre came to a screeching halt when reports surfaced of a domestic dispute inside a Los Angeles hotel room between he and his then wife, Tayrn Terrell, aka former WWE diva Tiffany.

While full details of that event have never really been made public, Tiffany was suspended indefinitely by the company and subsequently released just a few months later.

But what about McIntyre? He wasn't arrested.

Not coincidentally, McIntyre has never really recovered from this incident from a WWE booking standpoint.

This incident happened two years ago, yet you could probably count the number of televised matches McIntyre has won in that time on one hand.

Recently, he has been relegated to the 'Superstars' program and is losing quick squash matches to Brodus Clay.

Earlier this year, it was reported that McIntyre would be given a new "playboy" gimmick and it was even tested at house shows. Seriously? Is the company that lost when it comes to deciding these things? Thankfully, the idea was quickly scrapped.

So what is it that's holding McIntyre back? Is it something he can fix, or is WWE still punishing him for the negative publicity he garnered?

From a viewer's position, it doesn't seem to be McIntyre himself.

In the ring, he's very good. No, he's not great, but he exhibits very good ring psychology as well as a nice show of aggression.

On the microphone, he completes the character with above-average promo skills.

The WWE needs to turn the corner with this guy and get him back on the path he was once on. He doesn't need a character overhaul or a gimmick change; he's solid the way he is.

Besides, it's not like the WWE currently has a wealth of top notch heels and this guy can definitely be one.

Will he ever live up to McMahon's 2009 prediction? It seems that is up to the "powers that be" more so than it is McIntyre, but it would be a refreshing change of pace, one that would be a smart long-term decision.